Objective To define the concept of chemotherapy-induced alopecia distress and provide a reference for in-depth related research and the development of intervention strategies for chemotherapy-induced alopecia distress in cancer patients.Methods A systematic search and analysis of literature related to chemotherapy-induced alopecia in Chinese and English databases was conducted using Walker and Avant conceptual analysis.Results A total of 67 articles were included in the final literature review.The defining attributes of chemotherapy-induced alopecia distress were discomfort at the alopecia areata, negative emotions, limitations in daily activities, and avoidance of socialization.Antecedents included gender, religious beliefs, disease and treatment factors, body imagery, and coping styles.Consequences included lower levels of self-esteem, decreased treatment adherence, and decreased quality of life.The commonly used assessment tool was the Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia Distress Scale; however, there were fewer specific assessment tools available and no localized assessment tools in China.Conclusion Most cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at home and abroad experience a high level of alopecia distress.Future research should be based on clinical practice, focus on development of localized assessment tools and construct effective intervention strategies tailored to different ages, genders, and types of cancers to alleviate the distress caused by chemotherapy-induced alopecia in cancer patients.